Fishing News - 10/30/01
From Operation BASS
More Tournaments for 2002 Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League
Gilbertsville, Ky. (Oct. 30, 2001) - Anglers competing in the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League will have five new divisions to choose from in 2002 with the addition of the Gulf Coast, Louisiana, Music City, Savannah River and Shenandoah divisions.
Along with more events comes more prize money. Based on full fields at each event, the total purse for the 2002 season tops out at nearly $6.4 million-a $648,000 increase compared to last year.
"Wal-Mart's commitment to outdoor enthusiasts and, specifically, tournament anglers is unparalleled," said Operation Bass president Charlie Hoover. "They have proven, once again, their commitment to growing the sport of competitive fishing and satisfying the desires of America's 55 million anglers."
The new divisions cover fisheries in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Each of the league's 26 divisions will host four one-day qualifying events on Saturdays and a two-day, Saturday-Sunday super tournament. The one-day qualifiers feature a purse of up to $32,400 each with the winning boater earning up to $5,000. Super tournaments each have a purse of up to $70,950 with the winning boater earning up to $9,600. Including eight postseason regional competitions and the All-American championship, the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League will host 139 tournaments in 2002 compared to 118 events in 2001.
Wal-Mart became title sponsor of Operation Bass' popular Bass Fishing League, which is widely credited with opening competitive bass fishing to the masses through affordable, close-to-home, weekend tournaments, in 2001.
BFL tournaments feature a boater and co-angler format to accommodate anglers of various skill levels. They also use a 200-point scoring system that ensures equitable treatment of all competitors. Under the system, an angler receives 200 points for a win, 199 points for second, 198 points for third and so on in each qualifying tournament. In super tournaments, 400 points are awarded for a win, 399 points for second and so on. Every angler who receives weight credit during a tournament receives points.
After five regular season tournaments in a division, the top 30 boaters and top 30 co-anglers from that division advance to one of seven three-day regional tournaments. In six of the regionals, boaters compete for a new Chevy Truck and Ranger boat plus a berth in the All-American while co-anglers fish for a Ranger boat and a berth in the All-American. In the seventh regional, a Ranger boat and a berth in the All-American are awarded to both the winning boater and co-angler. Anglers who have entered all five tournaments within a division but do not qualify for a regional can compete in the Chevy Trucks Wild Card for a shot at the All-American.
A total of 50 boater and 50 co-anglers will compete in the 2002 Wal-Mart BFL All-American June 5-8 on Cross Lake near Shreveport, La. Once there, boaters will compete for a top award of $100,000 cash and co-anglers will fish for a top award of $50,000. With an overall purse of approximately $345,000, the All-American ranks as one of the most lucrative post-season tournaments in competitive fishing. The high-stakes championship will also put anglers in the nation spotlight when it airs live on PAX TV as part of the Wal-Mart FLW Tour series that airs Saturdays at 3 p.m. EST beginning Jan. 19.
The top six boaters and top six co-anglers from each regional (three from the Western Regional) will advance to the All-American along with the top three boaters and top three co-anglers from the Chevy Trucks Wild Card.
The All-American boater and co-angler champions are eligible to compete in the 2003 Wal-Mart FLW Tour-the richest tournament series in history. The top 30 anglers from each BFL division may advance to the 2003 EverStart Series-the pathway to the FLW Tour.
Anglers pay $150 to fish a Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League qualifying tournament as a boater and $75 to fish as a co-angler. Entry fees for Super Tournaments are $300 and $150 respectively.
Sponsors of the 2002 Wal-Mart BFL are Wal-Mart, ALPO Pet Foods, BC Powder, BFGoodrich Tires, Castrol, Chevy Trucks, Coleman, Conseco, Energizer, EverStart Batteries, Evinrude, Frito-Lay, FujiFilm, GARMIN, Kellogg's, Land O'Lakes, Minn Kota, Pepsi, Poulan, Ranger Boats, Shop-Vac, Snickers, Stren, US Bank, Weed Eater and Yamaha. Associate sponsors are Abu Garcia, Berkley, Eagle Claw, Laker, Plano and Solar Bat.
For a complete schedule and tournament registration, visit www.bassfishingleague.com or call 270-362-4880
